Adjustable, non-load-bearing partition construction



SPt 22, 1959 w. w. VAUGHAN Erm. 2,904,991

ADJUSTABLE, NoN-LoAo-BEARING PARTITION CONSTRUCTION sheets-sheet I 1 5. Eig. 6';

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ADJUSTABLE, NoN-LOAD-BEARING PARTITION CONSTRUCTION 3 Sheets-Sheet -2 Filed Oct. 10, 1955 f f ff /H/ f,

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IWW/vf W.' Wma/MA- I/Fcroe J Spar/*s .Pfr/5e J 64Mo/efr@ Wizz/#M C. .fi/efefrr INVENTORS.

IIIIIIIIIIIIILVII/llllll United States Patent O ADJUSTABLE, NON-LOAD-BEARIN G PARTITION CONSTRUCTION Wayne W. Vaughan, Malibu, and Victor J. Spotts, Peter .zi lglfandreva, and William C. Jarrett, Los Angeles,

Application October 10, 1955, Serial No. 539,464

9 Claims. (Cl. 72-46) This invention relates to readily assembled, demountable, self-contained, non-load-bearing, dry-wall partition construction and is particularly directed to arrangements and combinations of components of novel characteristics whereby non-load-bearing partitions may be erected in homes, oce building, municipal building, schools and the like, in an extremely rapid and effective manner.

Partition walls in various buildings have heretofore been made of gypsum blocks or involve the use of studs, lath and plaster. Certain partitions in ollice buildings and the like have been made of a relatively light metallic framework and panels of glass, but such lightweight office partitions do not conform to the requirements of iireproofing or re resistance which are ordinarily enforced in most structures. lt may be noted that partitions offering a certain minimum resistance to the passage of heat or re involve plastering or the application of stucco and plaster, and the erection of such partitions is both expensive and time-consuming. Moreover, normal methods of constructing non-load-bearing partitions make it diicult to properly place and conduct electrical conduits, telephone lines, lines conveying gas, compressed air, water, or other necessary materials (as in buildings devoted to medical offices, etc.).

Generally stated, the present invention contemplates a system of building non-load-bearing partitions which eliminates the necessity of applying stucco or plaster, the method of construction being generally referred to as dry- Wall construction. The system contemplated by the present invention employs an adjustable floor runner which may be readily connected or attached to any type of floor, the floor runner being laterally adjustable so as to permit such runner toy firmly support, anchor and grasp a dry-wall partition of any desired thickness. It is to be understood that partitions may vary in thickness depending upon structural or architectural considerations and the use to which the building is put.

Again, the present invention contemplates an adjustable floor runner which not only telescopes laterally and is therefore adjustable to partitions of dilferent Widths, but also provides a housing adapted to readily receive telephone and electric lines, conduits, heating elements or the like. The floor runner is provided with removable mop or base kick plates which impart a nished appearance to the partition and effectively conceal the wires or piping extending therethrough.

Moreover, the present invention contemplates the use of a novel ceiling runner which readily receives prefabricated panels, anchors the same and permits the application of external, surface panels to the core and ceiling runner. The mode of construction therefore permits the application of external surface panels of any desired type, color, texture or nish.

It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to disclose and provide a novel system of constructing demountable, self-contained, non-load-bearing partitions.

A further object of the invention is to disclose and provide a method of construction and elements for use therein whereby non-load-bearing partitions made from laminated panels of different thicknesses may be readily installed and be caused to contain readily accessible wiring, conduits and the like.

A further object of the invention is to disclose and provide a new oor runner adapted to positively support and anchor non-load-bearing partitions, such floor runner being -adjustable to partitions of differing thicknesses.

An object of the present invention is to provide a novel and improved ceiling runner adapted to receive and lfirmly hold the upper edges of a laminated core of a partition wall and to be concealed by externally applied surface panels.

Moreover, it is an object of the present invention to disclose and provide a demountable, self-contained, readily assembled, non-load-bearing partition construction, said partition being composed of a core consisting of a plurality of panels adhesively secured. together in face-to-face relation, such core having exterior surface panels adhesively secured to the core.

These and various other objects, uses, and advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood and appreciated from the description given hereinafter of certain exemplary forms of construction and elements for use therein. In order to facilitate description and understanding, reference will be had to the appended drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 illustrates transverse sections taken through portions of various types A, B, C, D of partitions which may be employed.

Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 illustrate a sequence of steps employed in assembling and erecting a non-load-bearing partition in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged, vertical section and isometric of a base runner and cooperating ceiling runner, the partition panel and ceiling nish being indicated in dash lines.

Fig. 8 is a horizontal section through partition walls `formed in accordance with the present invention in a `zone Where one partition abuts and terminates at a transverse partition.

Fig. 9 is a horizontal section illustrating an arrangement of partition walls meeting at a corner.

Fig. l0 is an isometric view of a removable base plate `adapted for use on inside corners.

Fig. 11 is an isometric view of a removable base plate adapted for use on outside corners.

Fig. 12 is a vertical section through a slightly modified form of floor runner.

Fig. 13 is a horizontal section through an adjustable metallic door frame adapted for use with partitions of this invention.

The partitions of the present invention may be made of various thicknesses by the use of gypsum boards or the like of individual thickness ranging from 1A" to 1". Fig. l illustrates a series of partial sections through partitions composed of various gypsum boards. Section A, for example, comprises a` central core made of two gypsum boards 1 and 1 which have been adhesively secured together by their contacting faces prior to installation in the wall. Such core is then provided with external or surface panels such as the gypsum board panels 2 and 2 adhesively secured to the external surfaces of the core. This section A is shown made of four boards ofI equal thickness. If each of these boards or panels is 5ft thick, the total thickness of the partition is 21/2 Y Section B illustrates a thinner partition wherein the core 3 is composed of two adhesively secured gypsum boards, the surfacing panels indicated at 4 and 4' being adhesively secured to the exterior surfaces of the core. These external or surfacing panels may be quarter inch plywood, berboard, sound absorbing tile or any other desired ma- 3 terial and Imay be of `appreciably thinner section those' utilized i'n` Asection A.

The section indicated at C illustrates a core 3 composed of two thicker gypsuin panels or the like provided with external or surfacing' panelsiS andfS" which'may also bejgy'psum board of Fany" :desired type and` of any desired thickness. Section D'illustrates 'a modied wall partition wherein the core 3" is composed vof three panels 'adhesivelysecured'together into a unit, one external surface panel l6 -being thicker than'theother external surface panel 6. Itv will be evident from a contemplation of the variou/stypical 'sections A, B,`C and Dthat wall partitions ofawariety of thicknesses may bernade, the materials employed being vcompatible tothe rooms and'functions to'be performed, the nish desired, etc. The iire than resista'ncerating fthese partitions may alsobe varied in order to conform with building requirements. Y

By referring t'o'Figs. 2, A3, 4, 5 Vand 6, the sequence of steps'employed in'ass'ernbling and erecting a nonload bearing partition in"accordance`with the present invent'ion'will be readily' understood. The irststep comprises attaching la ceiling runner, generally indicated at 10, to the `ceiling in'axial alignment with one portion of a longitndinally extending laterally te'lescoping floor runner. Thisport'ion of the iloor runner is indicated at 11 and is fastened tothe floor by 'means of cement'nails, rivets or the like 'which are driven lthrough the portion 12 of the foot' plate. It may be/noted that the ceiling runner is either provided with downwardly extending stop ytabs such 'as 10 or such tabs 4are bent out of the ceiling runner, the tabs being in vertical alignment with the 'vertical web of member 11 of the floor' runner. v

Fig. 3 'illustrates'the'step of pl'aoinga core 3 upon the foot plate of member 11', the weight of such core resting upon the foot plate, the "side of the core'pressing against the'vertic'al web of member 11 vand the upper edge por tion of such core resting `against the downwardly extendingstop 'tabs 10"of'the ceiling runner. After the c'ore has beenraised in thisposition it ris ret'ained'in 'such position by bending down 'additional tab or tabs such as 10 from the ceiling runner into contact with the outer surface of the c'ore. It maybelmentioned at this'time that the'core iscomposed of two ormore panels Vadhesively secured together in face to face'relatiomthus forming a rigid element which may be from 'l to 3 feet in width. Fig. 4 illustrates a further `step in the :erection of a partition in'accord'ance with this'invention. As there shown the telescoping member 11" of thejoor'runner is attach'ed'to tlievfo'ot plate of member 11 in any suitable manner as, for example,'by permitting theup'standi'ng stud to 'extend "through a Dslot 4in :the bottoi'n :portion of member 11 and applying a nut to the end'of the'stud. It will be noted'thatQby theplacement'and'attachment'of the member "11" the lower section of 'the'core 3 is grasped bythe members 11 and 11" and maintained in fixed Iisition. I v

Fig. 5 illustrates Isutb'sequeritstepswherein` external panels such asthe panels -'aild. 2 'are'adhesively secured tothe external surfaces of the'core 3, 'which is'now firmly anchored Atotheceilingrunner and vto the oor runner.

Fig. 6 illustrates the tlnal 'steps in the erection of f'a panel, s'c'h iina'l 'steps comprising the'application of kick plates` 20 `and 20 to npstanding nang'es on the outer'mar- "gins'of members 11 and '11, such kick plates 'preferably includingelectricaloutlets'and cooperating with thefloor runner 'to provide readily 'accessible passageways'in which telephor'i'ellines, air lines, 'water lines, etc.,` rnay be placed.

F-i'g. 7 shows in greater detail the construction of the ceiling runner andthe floor runner. As'theresho'wn, the ceiling riinnr 10 `is of substantially thatsection 'and is PIVdedWth "out'wardlyextnding inper flanges 14 and Iii which 'may b" e 4-p`rnl`ided `withjspaeed "perfo'rations to facilitate the attachment iii-,anchoring 'of ra ceiling viiiiiier to a ceiling, joi'sts, beams or the like. The two opposing side walls of the ceiling runner are preferably lanced so as to provide anchor tabs such as 10', these anchor tabs being bent outwardly and downwardly from the side walls of the ceiling runner.

The telescoping and adjustable floor runner, generally indicated by the numeral,l 11, comprises the two sections 11 and 11, the first of these having a foot plate 15 extendingla'terally: in' each'directio'n fromjthe'vertical 'web 16. The portion 12"of.`tlie`.'fo'ot"pl`ate 15 may be perforated intervals to facilitate the nailing or anchoring er themefrber 11' to thev nobr. ,Irwin beino'iiced that 'the member '11l isl Jalso provided `with lay top plateD 11pmvided with anV upstandingrflange 18. The portion 12 of the foot plate is also 'provided withfan @standing aange 19, the flange 19Lbeing'preferably further removed from the vertical web 16 than the topliiangelS. Attention is called also to the fact that, as well shown in Fig. 7, the weightof the core 3 rests directly upon the foot plate 1S ofthemember 11.

The foot plate 15 is provided with an upstanding threaded stud such as 25 at spaced 'longitudinalI intervals. These studs 25y extendthrough spaced laterally extending slots formed in the bottom of plate 27 of' member "11', which includes the angle web 28 and a top plate 29, said top plate being provided with'an upstanding flange 130. "When themember 11" is applied to the foot plate 15 of member 1v1',4 thestudsZSzextend through the slots and the member 11'1 is anchored and connected to member 111byl means of nuts 26. Foot plate 27' of -`member `11 vis also provided Withan upstanding flange '31.

It willfbe'noted that the top plates l17 and y29 'are suiciently wide to accommodate the subsequently Aapplied 'surfacev panels such as 2 and 2 and leave a space between th'e flanges ('18 and' 30) andthe external surfaces ofthesefsurfacing panels 2 and 2.

`These various anges 18, 19,30 and 31 provide means whichcooperate with thekick plates 20 and 20'. The kick'pl'ateztlrnay be provided 'with an upperportion including a reentrant curved lip'32 adaptedto grasp flange 30 and extendinto the space between the inner surface'of such iiange` andthe outer surface offacing board or panel 2V. The bottom portion of kick plate 20'rnay be'provided with'an upstanding rib having a downwardlyextending lip '33 adapted'to graspflange 31. The main portion'of kick'plate 20 maybe lanced or perforated at intervals, eachofthevports or perforations grasping an outlet plug `35. These outlet'plugs may be suitably spacedlongitudinally ofthe kick plate and be interconnectedby means of ysupplyand'ground wires leading to a source of electrical energy and to ground, respectively. These -wires maybe'contained'in a light-weight snap-on conduit, one portionof the conduit such as .36 being spotfwelded to the inner :surface ofthe kickplate 20 whereas the fouter'porltion 36 jis removably attached to the iirst portion "36. These various kick plates, together with .their outlet plugs land interconnecting wiring, 'may be prefabricated, 'thereby greatly facilitating wiring required in rooms formed by 'the' partition.

It may be :noted at this time that when the surfacing panelssuch as 2 and 2 are adhesivelysecured to the core 3, the vertical edgesof the surface panels 2 and `2 extend beyond the vertical jedge's of the cores 3 on `one side and the ledge of the coreextending beyond the :vertical edge of 'the 'panels on theother side. In vthis `nianner broken 'jointsare provided in the partition, imparting 4greater strengthfto the entire assembly.` jlf desired, the vertical edges ofthe surface panels 'Zfand Z' may be rounded Vor grooved, imparting an attractive vertical paneling eifect to the rooms provided with these'partitions. In theeven't the partition cores 'and Vsurface :panels are 18V-3.6" in width, they may bejeasily and vreadily handl'edueither` during Verection 'of the. partition or during anysubsequent disassembly or salvagingvopt'era'tio'n.

A lpartition constructed in accordance with the process of Jthe invention -noted labove has remarkable strength and rigidity and high tire resistance rating. 1t will be noted that the only metal-to-metal contact exists on the floor between the foot plates of members 11 and 11", the core acting as an insulator between such members. Furthermore, it will be noted that the thickness of the core can be varied, member 11 being in telescoping relation with member l1', adjustment being permitted by the cooperation of the threaded stud 25 with the laterally elongated slot lin the foot plate 27 of member 11'. When sound absorbing ceiling panels are used as indicated at 38, the thickness of such ceiling panels adequately covers any unevenness between the top of the external surfacing panels and the ceiling, thereby permitting a clean smooth finish to be obtained.

It is understood that the Hoor runner may be either made of extruded metal or of sheet metal. The kick plates 20 and 20' are also preferably made of sheet metal although they can be made of a plastic composition if so desired. t

Fig. 8 illustrates one manner in which panels can intersect. As there shown a partition wall including core 3 abuts another partition including core 3'. Surface panels 2 and 2 are applied to core 3, one edge of such surface panels terminating at 42 and the other being flush with core 3. Additional surface panels such as 43 and 44 are then applied to the core 3', one vertical edge of each of said panels being in abutting relation to the surface panels 2 and 2. Opposite vertical edges of the panels 43 and 44 are caused to be spaced from edges 45 and 46 of the core 3 to giverise to the tongue and groove or overlapping at the joists.

Fig. 9 illustrates a corner construction wherein the external surface panels such as 2 and 2 encase the external corner and meet at a beveled edge 47. External corners of these non-load-bearing partitions may be additionally protected `by means of a vertically extending metal channel 48 suitably secured to such corner. In some instances such external corners may be vertically reinforced by adhesively applied fibrous tape, particularly when the external surfaces are nished with paint or other similar coating.

The various kick plates on the partitions may be joined at internal and external corners by means of prefabricated corner elements such as are illustrated in Figs. 10 and ll.

`It is to be understood that the floor runner (as well as Vceiling anchors) are made of any desired length and are normally provided with transverse ends. When partitions meet at a corner, these floor runners may either be cut to provide a tapered or beveled end or preferably and simply are left with transverse ends and stop where the inner portions of the corner would meet. In order to breach the gap and give corners a finished appearance at the base plate, preformed, one-piece, inside and outside corner elements for the base plates or kick plates are provided, as illustrated in Figs. l0 and l1.

Pig. l0 illustrates a one-piece inside corner base plate 50 of the same cross section as the remaining or linear portions of the base plate, said inside corner being cornposedof two portions 51 and 52 welded or otherwise attached together as at 53. This entire corner element may be simply installed and caused to abut fthe ends of adjacent linear base plates. ln some instances it isdesir'- able to employ a short section of a base plate splice Asuch as is indicated at 54, this splice being made slightly smaller than the base plate so as to be slidably received in the end of a base plate and interconnect adjacent lengths of base plateor interconnect a corner element such as 50 with the adjoining linear base plate.

Fig. ll illustrates a similar one-piece outside corner element 50 similarly made of portions 51 and 52' welded `or brazed together at a 45 joint 53'.

-It may be, mentioned at this time that the term adhesively secured as used herein refers to panels which have been connectedtogether by means of a resin, rubber or silicate base cement, glue, or any other desired type of 6 adhesive. 'As previously indicated, the cores: 3 comprise adhesively secured panels which have been glued or combined prior to erection. The external surfacing panels such as 2 and 2 are then glued onto the vertical, external surfaces of the core.

The telescoping type of floor runner may vary in details from that illustrated most specifically in Fig. 7. Fig. 12 illustrates a modied form of oor runner. In the form illustrated in Fig. l2 both the core and the external surfacing panels rest upon the upper portions of the oor runner.

The Hoor runner illustrated in Fig. l2 ycomprises a member generally identified as 57 having a longitudinally extending, vertical web, a horizontal foot plate 58 extending laterally in both directions from the web and a top plate 59 extending laterally in one direction only. The top plate 59 is provided with an upstanding ange 60; the foot plate is provided with the upstanding flange 60' which may-be in vertical alignment with ange 60 or extend somewhat therebeyond, being further spaced from the vertical web of member 57.

This floor runner member 57 is first firmly anchored to a iloor as by cement nails or anchor pins 61 driven through the outwardly extending portion ofthe foot plate 58. Thereafter, the oor runner member 63 is con` nected to the member 57. The member 63 also includes a vertical web and a foot plate 64 extending in one lateral direction, the top plate 65 extending in both lateral directions. The foot plate is adapted to rest upon foot plate 58 whereas the top plate 65 is adapted to rest upon top plate 59. The foot plate 64 is provided with. an upstanding ange 66 and the top plate 65 is provided with the upstanding flange 66. It may be noted that the vertical, upstanding flanges 60 and 66 are spaced from their respective webs a distance about one-half the minimum partition thickness to be supported by the oor runner. Since the partition to be supported may vary in thickness, the webs of members`57 and 63 are spaced a predetermined and Variable distance so as to eventually cause the flanges 60 and 66 to firmly anchor the partition and restrain it from lateral movement. The vertical webs of members 57 and 63 are provided with longitudinally spaced and preferably vertically staggered ports. The members 57 and 63 are then connected together by means of a bolt, such as the bolt 67, extending through aligned ports in the vertical webs, a cylindrical spacer 68 being applied to the shank of the bolt and between the webs of members 57 and 63 so as to establish a predetermined space. Nuts, `such as 69, are then applied for the purpose of holding the assembly in the desired position.

LThe form of floor runner here illustrated presents an upper surface upon which both the core and. the external surfacing panels are permitted to rest between the flanges 60 and 66. 11n the event it is desired to impart greater heat insulating properties to such floor runner, the top plate `65 of members 63 may be provided with spaced apertures such as 70. After the oor runner has been assembled, as previously stated, heat insulating material (such as a porous, gypsum composition, granulated or finely divided insulating inorganic powders, mineral wool, or the like) may be introduced through the apertures 70, completely filling the space between the vertical webs of members 57 and 63.

iIt will be noted that the foot plate 64 of member 63 extends beyond the lateral extension of foot plate 58, unless the vertical webs of members S7 and 63 are in contact, and a very thin partition is being supported. In the event foot plate 64 extends materially beyond foot plate 58, shims are introduced therebeneath. In some instances, particularly where the upstanding anges 60 and 66 are spaced a greater distance from their respective vertical webs than the upper flanges, a downwardly extending bead may be formed integrally with foot plate 64 immediately below the flange 66, thereby obviating the necessity of employing shims. v

agencer .Theeconstructionshereintdisclosed: is'.`A particularly, Well adapted: for:A uses with@ adjustable;: two-piece metall door frames. Therlaminatedcgypsum boardpartitions@may;` be readily.` trinnned;.. openingszleft .therenrwherevenf desired? and telescoping door jambs rapidlyplaeed=within door openingsathevdoorjambsections:.embracinggedgefareas'of the .partitionftoc prorvidea: as: holiow', door framewprovided Withanuinregral doom stop?. Such hollowggtel'escoping doorvframesapermit electrical.l wiring to) be; rapidly" and easiiyfthreaded:fromfonezzbase;plateuarea =or1one=, side. oti the door to the base plate area on the other-side-of the doom:n At typical .jambl section: througlzif suchfadjustable metaldooriframe:isiillustratednaligt;L3: Arsthere;shown, the partition' 75: (composed,v of. preformedgpprecombined cone and' subsequentlyf'applied surfacing? panelsytermif. nates atzaevertical end'76f, .constitut=ing. aepant of-.the rougledeiirdoonopeninga 1Theaadjustable door frame-'is composediioirtwo sections; onezofrtherni indicated-v. at 77 anditheeotherindicatedsi ati 7:8; adapted? toftelescopicallyengage, theportion including-ai preformededoorf stopi7 91 It Will be noted that eacheoV-'thesecdoor jarrrbY frames in'-l clndessan externak'face and'iafn';internalfreentrant 4.flange portion .fsuchlas `77.' and:.17 81'? adapted:v to bear f against the externabsurfaces.ofthetpartitionzz Thexentire door-frame isrtherriconneeteretozthezpantition .as by=means oiifthe comr paniorrxscrew elements :80 extending through the partition-.- A'tpmachinerscrevw 811'; extendsrthrough they door stop; 79 amid connects ,that portimiozfiiamec 'Withi:the-underr lying pontiomoffframe'f.' Thehollnwv spaceithus formed arounde thee end: ofi; the;- partiti'on; 75: providesV aff suitable runwaytforzelectrical: connections;- telephone'linesetc. l

Thea'core: assembly 'maybe made :ofi anyf'desiredt-1type of.fz'ibricatedc boards;4 such as* gypsum ,compositiomg J ba@ gasseifiiber; ,Woods ber;4 laminated iwozod,f.etc.,.. or: com-f binationsf thereof: lfruztitions`l of typen-1D '(Eigv. 1);? mayf includef.: ai cone: of: tlnieef:inches. composed? of two gypsumzboardsfwith: amintervening; loose-textured ba-A gasses-ii'berf'boarzsuchz conci-being; rigid',` Y strong, ,readily handledn and,- erectedg. and:v am the r same. timer` capable: Q imparting::greaterz'sonndfinsulating properties to. the'rne ishedl partition thanzgypsurn boardswaloneu Theffinventionr. permitsiexibilityvand `the:'construction :off1diiferent typesg'; ofi' partitions:V ofi different thicknesses;-.,surface in-` ishes,..rePresi-stanceriratingsg;thermali and sound transll rrrissiorr characteristics; etc.; from-.standardizedmaterials. andzzelements', irr aminexpensivefandi:rapidt'manner; for vaousa-a1rdiidiiferent:requirements:

It is".y torbefr understood: thatathe enclosedr conduit 3.6--36t Witlnfitsuoutlet'` :plugsfzneed-:notibe :usedzias illus-l trated. The kic'lcfplateilrnayabe preformedwith alngia tudina'lly;V extendirrgrre'cess::adapted` to: removalblyg Ireceive the'iconduin element-136i Withtfits' outlet'tplugsi and inter-z connecting Wires;` .therouter .facef ofusuch: element 3'6l tthen lying'iin theusame-Lplanet-as the .outerffacerof the'ki'ckplate;

All changes:and-1modiiicationsscomingf .wi-thinthe, :scope of 1 the'y appendedi claims'. are. embracedf thereby:

Wexiclainr:

l; readilyI erected; non'eload'fbeaning: partitioni: con:-v structiorr: comprising; ai :ceiling anchoru runner: connected tcry av ceiling; ane` adjustable.: floor: runner om. au floor-' in alignmentawithithe': ceilinggrunneri andrhaving means 5 for receiving:varyin'g thicknessesf of partit-ione Walls;;. core panels each composed of two or morefgypsumr-boardszad'f hesivelyvsecurediirr Vface-to'vface :relation.extendinige'from substantiallyvtheciloor:to; said:` ceilingarunrrer: and c011- nected to said;v ceiling: runner against' lateraby movement', the lweriportionssof saidrcoreffpanels being fgraspedfby thefiloor'runnen;` vertical: ,edge-sa' of isa-id'. core; panelsrbeirrg coplanar; t and, fsurfacingupanelssadhesively ysecuredllto :ex: ternalsurfacesv off Esaidrfco-re; panels,` upper; edge-:portions of:f said.surfacing-` panels'- extend-inge.y aboverthe.r` tops of said .correr panels andeenclosingxthel. .ceiling :j anchor-1 run; ner,verticalx edgesofv saidsurfacing; panelsv beingydis+ Placed.; with.l respect; to ther. verticall edges L of: said core panels, the lower edges of saidsurfacinggpgrielsstermi:

natingtabove theylow-er edges.A ofwthefcoref panelstandsup; ported by; said -oor' runner. v

2L' A-\partition.constructionv asfstated iniclaimi la Where@ inethei floorw runnerv is` providedfwithf outwardly directed top plates: spaced: from" the` floor' and supportingf; said surfacinggpanelsn j p 3:v Affpartition-constructionas statedin claim 4l,vvhere-y intheutloon runner:v is provided- Witlrfoutwar-dl-y;` directed topg plates? spaced f fromthe:` floor j and supporting;A said surfacingpanels; andy an;y upstandingy Harige-carried by; each'A ofi said. top: plates,` said. flanges restraining; Said surfacing panels fromz lateral motion; and a.- removable b'ase :plate: in-l engagementwith eaclr off: saicliian'ges.Y

4. A partition construction as statedinfclaim-lirwheree infsaid :ceilingirunnen is off?. U.- section, avv/idthsconrespending to thexthicknessof'thef core panelsg, and-seppea vided with; bendable 1 tabsy at: ther Walls; ofi the-:c- Usection grasping; therupper' edgerportions of coreapanelsL to2prevent lateral movement thereof.

5 Inra readily assembled;demountableg: selfcontained, noneladfbearing partition*construction'fadjustabiea to dif.- ferent. thicknesses for partition; Wallsgnthe: provision ,of :V an adjustable; door; runnerr comprisingi a; pair. of metallic members eachl t provided with" ai vertical, longitudinally extendingfweb; onerof Asaidgimernbers ihavinig; :af foot-i plate enterudingr` laterally ins bothfz directions; and' aai top. i plate extendingzilaterally: im f ai direction: aways freins theftother. memberathevother of saidsmembers -havingt a footpiate extending ing an directiorr': awaywv from-said l oneememb'er and/a toptplatevextendingsin the samerdirectionf,y whereby said second member is positioned onrth'e footfpiateoii the irstmembenwitllzthe websesoffsaidrmemljers inrdesiredzispacedifrelationf meansi carriedl b'y'.v fooi:l plates:l oii eaclr ofsaidmernbers: vconnecting said members` together witlrztheir webszinrdesiredlspacedrrelation; and?.upst-anding flanges carriedL-byfthe' outeredgesuof eachl oi said', topf plateszf,

6:. Ima readily assembled,"` .demountable,;.selfecontainedg Dowload-bearing: partitiomzconstructiorradjustablertmdife ferent` thicknesses ofrpartitionzwalls;,thefprovisiorn of; fan adjustable door runner comprising; aa pair of.: metallic members, eachprovided with-ia vertical-,Zlongitudinal-lyiextending.-V We'b; one=.;of."said :membersnhavingfal foot?Y plate extendingalaterally infib'oth.` directions: andrai topiv plateiextending laterallyin adirectionf awayifrom; theaother memb'er, the other".odsaid,v membersllhaving azfootziplate: ex tending in: aLdii-ection;` Aaway` fromusaidone".memberr'and atopt platet eXtendingrirr-.the sameadirectiom: wherebyE said second member is-positionedf'on the :footplate oithe :first member- Witll'thefwebsfof saidfrn'embersin:desired spaced relatidn' providing afcoref panell receiving I. space; g means carriedb'y'foob plates: oieachr'osaid imemberszconnecting said members'togetherwith-'theirvwebsinfzdesired spaced relation;` upst\andiiig angesf carriedxbyi outer edges of each of vsaid'topplates; a laminated corerpanelupositioned'" between th'elv vertical f Webs oi Isaid; members` and Within saidi'receivingspace and?grasped-tthereby;I :andsurzfacel panels adhesive/lyk securedi. tmthef; external surfaces of-A saidcore; bottomwedges ofzsaid fsurface: panelsnrest-ing upon-said"'topplates.

7." Imfaeparti'tioni;construction offethei character stated in. claim 5; ther-,provisions of :upstanding an'ges carried vby aniouterfedgevof? eacln offithefootr plates and a. removable .platee :carried by; each; of said members, f, said .kick plateecooperatiNel-yf engaging :and-,- extending ,between. ,the flanges.Y onithe, foot plater and .topi plate. of its .respective member. Y y

8. In a. non-load-bearing. partition constructioni` the combinationt ofc a longitudinally extending, laterally Vtelescoping iloor runnermeans.ancl'loredV to a flor, said'oor runner means including interconnectable companion bottom p1ates,-y vertical. ,Websv and. top. plates provided with upstandingfr flanges alonglongitudinal edges, and'jmeans forl adjustably connecting.. said. bottom `plates for `spacing sajrlwebsr for, receiving, varying thicknesses of 'partition 9 walls therebetween; a ceiling anchor in alignment with said floor runner means, said ceiling anchor including means adapted to restrain lateral movement of a core panel in one direction; core panels, each composed of a plurality of pre-secured, [fabricated boards in face-to-face relation, supported by said floor runner means and extending into contact with said means to restrain lateral movement in one direction; means associated with a ceiling and adapted to engage upper `edge portions of said core panels to restrain lateral movement thereof in the Opposite direction, said core panels having their vertical edges in abutting relation; and surfacing panels adhesive- 1y secured to external surfaces of said core panels, upper edge portions of said surfacing panels extending above the tops of said core panels and enclosing the ceiling anchor means, vertical edges of said surfacing panels being displaced longitudinally with respect to the vertical edges of said core panels, the lower edges of said surfacing panels being restrained from lateral movement by the upstanding flanges of said oor runner means.

9. In a readily assembled, self-contained, non-loadbearing partition construction adjustable to different thicknesses `of partition walls, the provision of: an adjustable oor runner comprising a pair of members, each provided with a vertical, longitudinally extending web spaced from the web of the other member yto provide a core panel receiving space; each member having a foot plate and top plate extending laterally outwardly from its web in a direction away from the other member, each `of said top plates providing a supporting surface for bottom edges of surface panels which together with the core panel form the partition wall; means carried by the members connecting them together with their webs in desired spaced relation; upstanding flanges carried by outer edges of the foot plates; upstanding anges carried by the `outer edges of the top plates; and a removable kick plate cooperatively engaging and extending between said anges on the foot and top plates of its respective member.

References Cited in the lle of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,854,314 Ryan Apr. 19, 1932 1,939,624 Cohan Dec. 12, 1933 1,960,575 Davison May 29, 1934 2,000,243 Manske May 7, 1935 2,203,119 Wollaeger June 4, 1940 2,250,401 Sylvester Iuly 22, 1941 2,273,276 LaGrOtta Feb. 17, 1942 2,302,047 Olsen NOV. 17, 1942 2,540,305 Tomlinson Feb. 6, 1951 2,808,136 Hammitt et a1 Oct. 1, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 540,302 Great Britain of 1941 541,733 Great Britain of 1941 

